PREPARING A QUICK GARDEN BED

We are extremely excited about our garden this year as we have taken the plunge and decided to make some changes in the garden. I will be posting more on our garden and what we are doing there this year but for today, it is about one of our garden bed preparations and a very useful tip on it. 

The sides of our backyard along with the fence (perhaps a few meters from the fence) have some small rocks and we can't really use our lawn mower there properly. We have also been quite busy (as usual) recently and as a result of it all, we have just let go of the grass and have ended up with something like this in the first picture on the sides of our garden. 

One day only a couple of weeks ago, we decided to make a vegie patch there and we wanted to make it immediately. Mr. Hubby borrowed a van from a family member and bought some untreated wood (sleepers) after work the day before we made this garden bed. The next morning was a Saturday and we went out for some grocery shopping. On the way to the shops, we visited a few local garden suppliers and ordered 2 cubic meters of dirt with some organic matter in it (Note: The price for the same amount of the same or a very similar quality soil varied from $53AUD to $67AUD per cubic meter in three different but physically close-by places!). We did our shopping and came back home in the early afternoon. After we put our two little fruits of love to bed for a nap, the delivery truck arrived with the soil. We surely didn't have the time to clean all the grass on the ground but there was no reason to stress about it. Here is how we went about it and what made it stress-free for us:

All we did was that after we placed our sleepers, we put some thick cardboard boxes that we were happily given at a local hardware store on the ground, on top of the grass (even though initially, we did try to pull the grass off and take the small rocks from there to use them elsewhere. However, the rock collecting method that we used was not practical enough and did not work there, so, we gave up on that).

You don't need to cut your grass as after you put your cardboard boxes and the dirt on it, your grass will die anyway (since there is pretty much no oxygen, no food, no drink).

It surely took longer for the four of us (of course with the little helpers when they woke up) to carry all that soil from the front yard to the garden bed than preparing the foundation and the frame of the garden bed. However, it was all worth it and we all felt a great sense of accomplishment at the end. No whingeing from any of us at all and it only took an afternoon to have this:

Not too bad, ha?

Have a great time with some loved ones today!

HOMEMADE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT

What a great homemade playground equipment design idea! I so want this for my backyard!

POMEGRANATE

Pomegranate is definitely one of my all-time favourites. I normally consume it as a fruit even though I can never say no to some freshly squeezed pomegranate juice either.

Pomegranate fruit has many tasty and beneficial seeds and each seed is surrounded by a sac of sweet-tart juice contained by a thin skin. There are layers of seeds which are separated by paper-thin membranes.

After opening the pomegranate by scoring it with a knife and breaking it open, the seed casings (arils) are separated from the peel and internal white pulp membranes.

I love the sweet and/or savory taste as well as the watery texture, and the delicious dark red colour of it. However, I am also aware of its health benefits which makes me even more interested in this particular fruit. Below is some useful information on pomegranate which is used as fruit, juice, in syrups, sauces, in medicine, ink making, dye making, vinegar and so on.

Health benefits of pomegranate:

Especially in India, the rind of the fruit and the bark of the pomegranate tree is used as a traditional remedy against diarrhea, dysentery and intestinal parasites.

The seeds and juice are considered to be a tonic for the heart and throat.

The flower juice, rind and tree bark are believed to be useful for purposes such as stopping nose bleeds and gum bleeds, toning skin, (after blending with mustard oil) firming-up sagging breasts and treating hemorrhoids.

Pomegranate juice (of specific fruit strains) is also used as eyedrops as it is believed to slow the development of cataracts.

Pomegranate has been used as a contraceptive and abortifacient by means of consuming the seeds, or rind, as well as by using the rind as a vaginal suppository.

Pomegranate aril juice provides about 16% of an adult's daily vitamin C requirement per 100 ml serving.

It is a good source of vitamin B₅, potassium and natural phenols, such as ellagitannins and flavonoids.

Pomegranates are listed as high-fiber in some charts of nutritional value

 Its edible seeds supply unsaturated oils.

Pomegranate may be effective in reducing some heart disease risk factors.

Juice consumption may also inhibit viral infections.

Claimed to provide antioxidants.

Pomegranate extracts have antibacterial effects against dental plaque

The peel of pomegranate fruit may be used as tea to treat diarrhea.

FEiJOA

 

I have only noticed and tried feijoa, also known as 'pineapple guava' recently. 

Up until this year, it has never caught my eye. Last year, we started shopping at a particular market and they always stock seasonal fresh produce that are organically or biodynamically grown. When feijoa was on display about a month ago, it caught my attention and I asked the very knowledgeable and helpful shop assistant there a few questions about this particular fruit. He is passionate about what he does, I believe. He was happily involved in the conversation and when he didn't know the answer to one of my questions which was not necessarily a very important one but I was curious about it, he quickly went inside, brought a book with him and found the relevant page easily. It was a very informative and enjoyable little chat that him, his co-worker who joined us a little later and I had that day.

From that conversation, his book and also from other sources, I was able to gather some useful information for us all. Here is the brief conclusion of my findings for you:

Feijoa fruit originates from South America but is also well known and locally grown in New Zealand too. Its types vary. It is egg shaped. It has a distinctive smell and is sweet in taste. 

To eat, simply, cut the fruit up in half and scoop out the juicy flesh. Usually, you can just pinch the end and majority of the fruit comes right out. Some people don't even peel it and eat the skin too but it is a bit bitter and I do not recommend eating it. If preferred, you can make jelly, chutney and jam with feijoa, or put it in cakes, icecreams, puddings and drinks as flavouring.  

If overmature, it will look bruised and go brown on the inside. If so, it should not be eaten. 

Health benefits:

Feijoa has great antioxidant activity (containing proanthoncyanins). It is high in vitamin C, minerals and fiber. It is low in calorie.

Enjoy something new today!

JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES

Just recently, as a family, we had great fun digging the dirt and searching for Jerusalem artichokes in one of our garden beds. It was real fun! Mr. Hubby was most useful doing the hardest bits such as pulling the big plants out of the garden and Mr. Junior was an excellent digger of the soil. Miss Junior was in my arms trying to get a hold on the buckets-full of Jerusalem artichokes for a taste-test and I was really good at spotting things such as new types of bugs, or a missed piece of Jerusalem artichoke.

The first and the only time we ever planted Jerusalem artichokes was the last year. This year, it was a gift of the nature to us. We didn't really need to do almost anything to it. It performs well even if neglected. In our case this year, it grew on its own and left us kilos of produce to share with the loved ones.

They can be eaten raw or cooked but almost always we prefer them raw. We simply dig them up from the garden, peel and wash and eat. It is crunchy and is somewhat refreshing.

Lets now move onto the health benefits of Jerusalem artichokes. They are;

• similar to potatoes in some ways and may be used as a substitute to them. However, they do not contain the same type of starch as potatoes. They contain inulin which should not affect blood sugar levels. 
• safe for diabetics to consume.
• contain large quantities of iron which makes it very desirable especially for vegetarians and vegans.
• filling.
• high in potassium.
• contain fiber, niacin, thiamine, phosphorus and copper.

Warning: Some people may find it hard to digest even though none of the family members in our case has experienced it. 

HANDMADE RECYCLED PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT

I must admit I am in love with this design which doesn't originally belong to me. In my opinion, it has it all: use of recycled items, fun, functional, unique, would put a smile on any kid (or adult) any time! 

I have not tried it myself yet but it doesn't seem to be an extremely challenging project to work on. I am definitely looking forward to coming up with my own design (or Mr. Junior may like to design it by himself). 

Enjoy something that makes you smile today!

CORN

Corn from our garden

Corn in different forms has always been a part of my diet since childhood. Most people would love corn chips and popcorn but as for me, I love corn on the comb the most but I also enjoy it in other varieties too. I find it delicious when it is boiled, popped, barbecued and so forth. However, the reason why I would like my children to include corn in their diet is not limited to its tasty flavour. It is also because of all the goodness that it provides.

Corn is a great source of many nutrients.

• High in fiber.
• Good source of vitamins such as folic acid, niacin and Vitamin C. 
• Corn has Vitamin B (Thiamin, Vitamin B6, Niacin, Riboflavin, Folate). It has traces of Vitamin A and Vitamin E.
• Corn is rich in phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, iron and selenium. It also has small amounts of potassium.

Health Benefits of Corn:

Corn;

• is good for skin care
• boosts nervous system
• is good for digestion
• helps in maintenance of low cholesterol levels.
• has health-supportive antioxidant benefits from all varieties of corn, including white, yellow, blue, purple and red corn.
• provides necessary calories for daily metabolism of the body.

Although corn is now available in markets year-round, it is the locally grown varieties that you can purchase during the summer months that not only tastes the best but are usually the least expensive.


A Few Quick Serving Ideas

• Healthy sauté cooked corn with green chilies and onions. Served hot, this makes a wonderful side dish.
• Use polenta (a type of cornmeal) as a pizza crust for a healthy pizza.
• Add corn kernels and diced tomatoes to guacamole to give it extra zing.
• Adding corn to soup enhances the soup's hardiness and its nutritional profile.

Have something healthy today!

MINT

Mint from our garden

There are different types of mint. The most commonly used ones especially in kitchens are spearmint and peppermint.

Mint is rich in Vitamins A and C. It also contains some Vitamin B2. The essential minerals mint contains are manganese, copper, iron, potassium and calcium.

Mint is well known to help with digestion (homemade peppermint tea is strongly recommended. To make this tea, you just need to boil some water and put some fresh mint leaves in it and wait for 5-10 minutes before drinking).

Mint's medicinal properties aren't limited to its aid in digestion. It

• has anti-cancer properties both in preventing and healing and are good antioxidants (antioxidants are good for protecting against cancer). 
• helps opening up respiratory passages and airways, 
• is good for relieving cold and flu symptoms. 
• has proven itself in some muscle relaxation and is calming.
• is used as a mild sedative (no wonder why mint is often used in aromatherapy such as massage oils). 
• is proven to help bad breath problems and 
• crushed mint leaves help whitening teeth (most toothpastes include mint in them). 
• is a very good cleanser for the blood.

Mint is sold both dried and fresh at almost every supermarket these days (if you want to know how to make ground mint at home, click here). Fresh mint can stay for upto a week when put in water and the water is changed regularly. However, I really like it when they are 'really fresh'.

We grow some mint in the garden and I can easily claim that they are one of the easiest herbs to grow in a pot or on a garden bed. If interested, let me know and I can write about how to grow mint in the future. Also, let us know how you consume mint. You can either e-mail me (contactmrslucky.gmail.com), or just click 'comments' below and write there.

A SMALL GARDEN PLEASER

By now, all my readers here would know how much I appreciate and enjoy recycling ideas and recycled products for various reasons. In the (copied) picture above, there is another recycling idea for us all. The recycled pots on the wall in the picture are very useful, practical, stylish and easy-to-do.

The list of what you need for this project is below:

• some containers (Eg. large tomato sauce tins) that you want to recycle 
• something to hold them up with (the safest would be the use of nails or you can even make little individual shelves with wood to place them on if you have the materials and the time for it). 
• A drill (or a nail and a hammer) to make a hole in each container for drainage. 

You can use the clean containers as they are or alternatively, you can paint or decorate the containers to your taste or to match the theme you have in your garden. Put some soil in each container and it is ready for plantation!

You can grow flowers or other pot plants in them but I really like growing things that can be eaten and I think they would be wonderful for some herbs such as parsley, thyme, sage, rosemary, oregano, mint, basil, chives, coriander and so on. They won't take space in the garden, will look very nice and neat and will add a character to your garden without spending any money! You will also be pleased to know that you have achieved something meaningful and useful.

UNDERSTANDING ORGANICS AND BIODYNAMICS

Both of these terms refer to a sustainable agricultural system. However, biodynamic goes one step further than organic practice. It is a holistic practice where all things are considered living inter-related systems - animals, plants, and the solar system. Below is some useful information on organics and biodynamics for you.

Organic:

The term organic is described as "a system of agriculture able to balance productivity with low vulnerability to problems such as pest infestation and environmental degradation, while maintaining the quality of the land for future generations" by some sources.

Organic farmers do not use synthetic chemicals and they only use natural breeding processes for plant propagation and seed development. They also aim to achieve a balance with nature by using methods and materials that have a low impact on the overall environment.

In practice this involves a system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetically compounded fertilisers, pesticides, growth regulators, livestock feed additives and other harmful or potentially harmful substances. It includes the use of technologies such as crop rotations, mechanical cultivation and biological pest control; and such materials as legumes, crop residues, animal manures, green manures, compost, other organic wastes and mineral bearing rocks. The intention is to encourage natural biological systems." (Standards for Organic Agricultural Production, NASAA, 1993.)

Biodynamic:

Bio-dynamic farming is based on the work of Austrian scientist Dr. Rudolf Steiner (1861 – 1925). You may remember his name from Steiner Schools which run in many places including Melbourne, Australia. If you would like to read more about Steiner Education and its philosophy, this is one of many informative websites for you.

In regards to biodynamics as an agricultural term, this is what it refers to: 'an enhanced organic method and it is about a recognition that the whole earth is a single, self-regulating, multi-dimensional ecosystem'.

Biodynamic practitioners seek to understand and work with the life processes as well as increase their understanding of the mineral processes used in conventional agriculture.

They seek to enhance soil structure and nutrient cycles resulting in maximised plant growth and development, with the use of specific preparations that are made from farm-sourced materials.

The observation of nature's natural rhythm such as moon cycles is very important to biodynamics producers.

Biodynamic farming aims to achieve “self sufficiency” by generating fertilizers for crops and food for animals through natural processes that regenerate the farm system. 

The aim is to "redeem dead soils and make farms viable without the use of water-soluble fertilisers and chemicals." (Bio-dynamic Movement in Australia - Agriculture, Standards, Certification and Marketing.)

Biodynamic farming uses different principles that add vitality to the plant, soil and/or livestock, whereas traditional farming typically deteriorates the soil.

According to a source, biodynamics provides tools to make organics easier by:

• organising the nutrient cycles with the farm or garden,
• activating the soil food web, which creates humus,
• creating resilience in plants and animals against stress and extreme weather events,
• balancing the atmosphere around plants, and
• optimising growth cycles using lunar and cosmic rhythms.

For further reading, you can check information provided by The Organic Federation of Australia (OFA), DEMETER Bio-Dynamic Agriculture in Australia, or The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

REDUCE ORGANIC FOOD EXPENSES BY 90%!

I have recently learnt that some produces are more important to be bought in their organic version than the others as they tend to have the highest amount of pesticides when conventionally grown. If you can buy everything organic, lucky you, I'd definitely say go for it! However, if you have to choose, whether it is for you, your child or for the whole family, choose the ones that are likely to contain the highest pesticide levels normally organic and buy the ones with relatively less pesticide levels from not necessarily organic produce selling places. By doing so, you can reduce the amount of your pesticides intake by 90%!

Here is the list of the ones that tend to have the highest pesticides levels if not organically grown (so, try to buy these organic):

• celery
• strawberries
• peaches
• blueberries
• spinach
• apples
• nectarines
• bell peppers
• cherries
• potatoes (and more)

Now, lets look at the list of the produces with less pesticide levels:

• Peas
• Corn
• Asparagus
• Pineapple
• Mangoes
• Kiwi
• Honeydew
• Cantaloupe/Rockmelon
• Onion
• Sweet potatoes

I am aware that there are some standards in place especially here in Australia. However, it still doesn't mean that the foods that we consume everyday are pesticide free (unless stated so). There are ways to reduce the amount of pesticides and other chemicals we are exposed to by following some certain strategies. Some of those strategies are listed below:

Buy organic/biodynamic.

Grow your own.

Buy produces that pass particular standards (be extra careful with the imported ones).

Thoroughly wash all fruit and vegetables.

Peel or remove the outer layer whenever possible.

Do not over-consume certain types of foods. Instead, eat a variety of meats, vegies and fruit.

Cook meat/chicken well.

Trim visible fat from meats, as many residues are fat soluble.

There are many online sources available if you would like to do further reading on this topic. You can search for 'dirty dozen and clean fifteen', 'pesticide residue in fresh produce' and 'pesticides and other chemicals in food' and so forth. You can also visit some other reliable websites such as this or this. 

COMPOSTING AT HOME

Compost, also referred as 'black gold' by some gardeners as it is very rich in nutrients and is as valuable as gold for gardeners, is something that once you get your hands on to, you can never do without. It is extremely easy to do at home and it doesn't have to cost you a cent!

Here, I will be giving you tips on how to make your organic compost at home easily and without any expense even though it is up to you to decide whether you'd prefer to go buy kits and nice looking compost bins etc. I will be sharing with you the essentials of composting and then you go ahead and work with whatever agrees to your taste and lifestyle.

Composting is nature's process of recycling decomposed organic materials into a rich soil known as compost. Anything that was once living will decompose. 


There are three types of composting: 

1. Backyard Composting
• Needs two elements: Greens (grass clippings and food scraps) and browns (fallen leaves, woody branches, straw, shredded newspaper etc) 
2. Worm Composting
• Doesn't need much space or a big garden. Food scraps are used.
3. Grasscycling
• Achieved by leaving grass clipping on the lawn to decompose. 

Below is a copied list for 'backyard composting' from this website.

Compost Ingredients

WHAT TO COMPOST 

Greens = good sources of nitrogen
Grass clippings	mix well so they do not pack down
Coffee grounds	include filter
Fruit
Vegetables	all vegetables & peelings
Egg shells	adds calcium
Manure from herbivores	i.e., horse, cow, rabbit. Do not use if animal is sick
Tea bags
Hair	human or animal, may be slow to degrade
Grains
Feathers
Blood meal	extremely rich in nitrogen

Browns = good sources of carbon
Leaves	improved aeration
Straw	a good source of bulky material
Sawdust	must be from untreated wood
Newspaper
Yard waste	best cut to sizes 2" or less
Paperboard	i.e., cereal boxes, paper plates and napkins, break into small pieces
Dried grasses	good source of carbon
Wood ash	must be from untreated wood

WHAT TO AVOID & WHY 

Diseased plants	disease can spread if pile does not get hot enough
Weeds with seeds	or weeds that can sprout from bits of root. Seeds or bits of root may survive and sprout in garden if compost doesn't get hot enough to kill them.
Dog or cat feces	may carry parasites and diseases that infect humans
Toxic chemicals (pesticides, etc.)	will harm or kill beneficial soil life
Charcoal (briquettes)	will not break down in compost
Fats, oils, grease	attracts animals and keep anything they coat from breaking down
Meat scraps, bones, cheese	slow to break down, smells bad and attracts animals
Treated logs	contains high amount of chemicals

There are different methods of Backyard Composting. One method is as simple as digging a hole/trench in the garden and putting the food scraps in it and then covering it up with soil. The other easy method is called 'tumbler'. Add the compost materials in with a little bit of soil and turn it around everyday. If you would like to learn about more methods, by doing some search on the internet, you can access to a wide range of sources or you can visit here. 

Lets now move onto Worm Composting. A place for the worms (preferably the red wigglers) to live in is a must. You can easily use a bin for this purpose but it shouldn't be too deep as it needs to have some air flow. You could utilise whatever you have in your hands (plastic or wooden container) and if needed, add some holes to it, which is what we have done. However, be mindful that if you are using a treated wooden bin, it may contain some arsenic or other chemicals that may have been used as preservatives. Also, because of the moisture, the wooden bins may not last longer than only a few years. 

There are different ways to do this but let me share with you one way of getting started. 

How you prepare a plastic container (if you haven't bought one that is already ready to go) is that first of all, make sure it is on the ground so that the soil organisms can get in (or I have seen people who would make some holes in the container and then bury it to the ground. There are options and it is upto you to decide what works the best for you). Add a handful of dirt to the bottom of the bin (especially if it isn't on the soil) and fill it with shredded, moist, black&white newspaper. Make sure the paper pieces are not too large or wet as they would interfere with air circulation. Once you have got this bedding ready, add a variety of food scraps from the right range (see the list above). Try to have a good balance of them and if possible put them in a layered manner so none is too thick. Rock dust perhaps a few times a year helps. So does adding a small amount of soil. Also, ground limestone rock, egg shells, or oyster shells are helpful in keeping the bin from becoming too acidic.

Do NOT add the following: Meat or fish scraps or shells of prawn or crab (an option to use them is just digging a deep hole and burying them as they are good for the soil). Do not add dog or cat poo or weeds with seeds (otherwise you will be spreading the seeds around your garden). 

Make sure your bin doesn't become too wet in the rain etc. So, cover it up with a tarp well. Also, turn it over periodically. When fully decomposed, the compost will have a pleasant earthy smell and you will see little or nothing of the original ingredients.

Here is how we make compost as a family at home. We simply cut up the bottom of a bin and made it its lid. We removed the actual lid and that larger side of the bin became totally accessible to the ground. We put that open end (originally the top of the bin) on one of our garden beds (meaning we have already covered the bottom with soil/dirt like recommended above). And then basically, we started adding our greens and browns to it as well as adding some soil at times and turning it over and airing it out at times. Don't forget, if your container is deep, you should make some holes on the body of it since it is essential for air circulation. It works really well for us because we are interested in organic gardening as much as possible and also we have so much food scrap from home cooking and the high consumption levels of fresh produce at home that we are glad to recycle whatever we have got whenever possible. It is good for us, our children (they will hopefully learn it and carry it on), our garden, good for our environment...

I hope this was helpful for many of you out there.

Have a helpful day!

SUNDAY SPECIAL

There is nothing like a Sunday morning when all the family members gather around a breakfast table and just eat and chat. Especially if the cook is a person like Mr. Hubby, it becomes even more amazing and I feel very lucky and blessed to have such a luxurious quality time with my family! One thing I never forget is that I can never take it for granted.

Today, I was able to have one of those beautiful mornings with the family. Mr. Hubby told me a few days ago that he's recently found a new taste at a cafe near his workplace that he had really enjoyed. Unlike me, he is pretty good at telling what a certain food has in it even without having to talk to the actual chef. This particular avocado spread/dip is different than the usual guacamole dip and  is one of those ones that Mr. Hubby has recently tried, liked and decided to try making a homemade version of.


This spread (or dip) has only three ingredients which are:

• Fresh mint (preferably from your own garden)
• Spreadable cheese
• Avocado

Coarsely chop/tear the fresh mint leaves and add it into the cheese and avocado. (Mr. Hubby decided after tasting the pictured below dip that it would have been better if the cheese was much less in ours).  

We enjoyed it on a piece of toasted Italian style cabatta bread for breakfast but you could easily use it as a sandwich spread (perhaps at work?) or on flat bread chips (see my previous post titled HEALTHY, YUMMY, QUICK and EASY CHIPS? on 27/11/2011) or it could be placed in a finger food platter for a party.

Enjoy a delicious day with some loved ones!

GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS | Better Health Channel

I was planning to browse the article that I am sending you the link of but the factual information in it was so interesting, informative and important that I could not help but share the whole article with you. Just click on the link below and have a good read through it. It is really good to know!

Link: Genetically modified foods | Better Health Channel

BROAD BEANS (FAVA)

Broad beans (some call it fava beans or fava) come from the pea family and are a good source of copper. They also have niacin, folate, fiber and vitamin C. They are rich in calories and especially proteins. In general, they provide similar nutrients to beans. Overall speaking, beans are so rich in protein that they may replace meat in diet but they lack some certain elements (amino acids) that they need to be able to substitute meat. That is why it is good to consume beans with some grains, for example on toast or with some rice. 

The flowers of broad beans are used for medicinal purposes but it is the pods and the seeds that we eat. The pods can be eaten when young and fresh (I can tell you that the raw pods are juicy when young) and the seeds can be consumed as dried beans (soaked and cooked well) or raw if fresh and tender (if cooked/boiled, I suggest peel off the skin before using it as it will help with digestion). We normally use the fresh ones when we have them in the garden and we eat them raw even though you can find many recipes of cooked foods made with them on the internet or via friends or family (we sometimes add it to our stir fried noodles or make salads with them. They can be pureed too and it is a pretty common dish in a certain part of Italy).  They are more digestible when they are tender.

We used to buy dry broadbeans from local groceries whenever they were in season. However, last year, we decided to plant some using the dried beans we had in hand at the time and have been enjoying some fresh ones since then. We noticed that it is quite easy to grow them (at least it has been the case for us here in Melbourne, Australia) and I may try to write about how to grow them for the ones interested in having their own in the garden when I get a chance in the future.

We simply go to the garden, pick some, open them up and eat the seeds (and sometimes the pods too). Mr. Junior really likes the idea of picking something by himself from the garden and it actually makes him more interested in the food. He is happier to consume the foods that he plays a role in planting or growing or harvesting than the ones he just sees in the fridge or in his plate. When they are in season, we also take some fresh broad beans with us when we go out for him to snack on. 

Note: Some people may be allergic to this food and it is called favism. Even the inhalation of its pollens may cause an allergic reaction.

Did you know that according to a source, a fava bean is included in a Christmas cake in Portugal and traditionally, whoever gets the fava bean has to buy the Christmas cake the following year!

Also, it is claimed by a source that in the Netherlands, the velvet insides of the broad bean pods are rubbed against warts as it is believed to heal warts (it is a folk remedy in the Netherlands).

HOMEMADE GROUND MINT

Up until last few years, I had never thought I could never buy dry mint from shops again. I sort of knew that it is easy to grow mint in the garden or in a pot but didn't really think it was this easy! We planted some mint in one of our vegie patches in the garden I guess 4-5 years ago and since then we have never needed to do much, really. Now, all we do is to make sure that it doesn't stay 'thirsty' and also cut it close to the ground as often as possible. It is a great herb to share with loved ones or neighbours as it performs much better when cut often. You cut it, use it, in a few weeks, it is ready to go again.

Now, how to dry it? Well, it is as easy as growing it. You cut it from the stem close to the root, make sure it is clean, wash it, put it on a tray with some kitchen towel or paper towel and wait until it dries. Once it is totally dry, which can take different periods of time depending on the weather and where you place it, you use some man power (it is generally Mr. Hubby who does it in our case) to put it through some fine strainer. The stems will not go through the strainer anyway, so don't be too concerned about leaving them on when you pick them. I guarantee you that not only you will save money, you will also discover a new smell and a taste in your diet. I don't think I can ever go back to the ones I used to buy from supermarkets. The smell and the taste of our homemade mint is heaps better!!!

In regards to how to use ground mint.. Let me give you a few simple and tasty ideas that you too may want to try if you haven't done so before. Lets number the ideas:

1. Mint in yoghurt drink. (If you don't know what yoghurt drink is, stay tuned! I will soon write a recipe for it. It is one of the most traditional summer drinks in Turkey but traditionally, mint is not included in it. However, most Cypriot Turks prefer it with mint. I personally like it both ways. If you are after a cold and fresh drink, give it a try and leave me a line to let me know what you think).

2. Stuffed vegetables with mint. Most mediterranean recipe books would include some sort of stuffed vegetable recipes in it. So did our menus at home as a child. They are healthy, can have a colourful variety which doesn't only look good but also offers different vitamins too. Try adding your homemade dry mint into the stuffing of one or many types of vegies.

3. Yoghurt Soup. This too is a traditional Turkish soup and tastes fabulous especially with the addition of ground mint on the basic sauce of it which contains olive oil, mint and - preferably homemade- chilli flakes. If you want to learn how to make this soup, either wait till I get around putting the recipe up here or do a little online search on it. It is one of the easiest and fast cooking soups. It is also Mr. Junior's favourite soup. We make it hot during cooler days and cold during hotter days (especially when out, the cold yoghurt soup is an excellent homemade food to bring with us in an air tight bowl).

These are only three easy and tasty ways of using your homemade dry mint at home. Enjoy!